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JONAH’S PRAYER IN THE WHALE (JONAH 2:1-3:3a)

REFLECTION

Jonah’s prayer in the whale is the theme for our reflection. Prayer is a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God. Jonah’s prayer in the whale was a prayer of redemption and praise to God. Prayer can be the source of hope and a lifeline for someone who has gone astray but believes that God can save him or her.

Prayer communicates to God that even in our disobedience and punishment, we still rely on Him for forgiveness and salvation. God does not give up on us, we rather give up on Him when we fail to pray or communicate with Him when we face challenges and troubles in our lives. Jonah’s prayer teaches us that we can call on God even from the deepest depth of the sea and He will come to our rescue. “To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, LORD my God, brought my life up from the pit. 7 “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. 8 “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. 9 But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’” (Jonah 2:6-9). The Lord’s promise to Jeremiah is also applicable to those who even in times of distress call upon Him, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ (Jeremiah 33:3).

Truly, God’s love for us is unsearchable and His grace for those who are disobedient and do not deserve His salvation is amazing. My dear friend, if you are disobedient to God and as a result, you find yourself in the deep and turbulent sea of suffering and pain then ” Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. (Isaiah 55:6-7). You are not out of the coverage area, you are still within the coverage of God’s salvation and grace. Dial the prayer of repentance and redemption through the network of faith and our Lord Jesus Christ will save you.

Dear friend, obedience must follow our prayer of repentance and redemption. We must remember to be faithful to our calling when God redeems us and gives us another chance. “Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” 3 Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh.” (Jonah 3:1-3) Some of us are alive today because God saved us from an accident, a life-threatening sickness or situation so that we can fulfil our purpose and God’s mission on earth. This is the real meaning of grace. God could have discarded Jonah and called someone else yet He heard Jonah’s prayer and gave him another chance. Some of us have had multiple chances of God’s deliverance already yet can we say we have been faithful to Him? Arise today and work for the Lord. Paul greatly admonished us when he wrote to the Romans, “I beseech you therefore, brothers and sister, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1). Do you believe God has been faithful to you and your family all these years? What then will be your response to His call? How long will you keep giving excuses when it comes to worshipping God and serving Him faithfully? Let us turn to God and be willing to go wherever He will send us. May His will be done in our lives. Amen.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, continually strengthen us to reconnect with You in prayer when we are lost at sea and have no one to turn to. Amen.